Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Crushing the Huangbo Reinforcements
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The fierce backlash from Elder Jang Un's aura slammed into the front lines. The rabble who couldn't even muster their protective energy were swept away like weeds in a gale.
Kaboom!
The wall they crashed into crumbled completely. Yuk Jin-yang steadied his breathing and scanned the surroundings.
Nearby, his uncle's sword danced wildly. Foes were sliced and pierced by the torrent-like strikes, falling in droves.
The inn's warriors had been halved in an instant. The White Lotus Cultists' faces paled at the overwhelming gap in skill. Some glanced back desperately.
Finally, warriors from the Huangbo Clan pushed through the crowd. Some headed straight for Yuk Ryul.
Five remained to face Yuk Jin-yang. Their cultivation seemed lower than those he'd met in Joo Hyun. Their auras felt shallow. But they were coordinating for a joint assault.
"To think we'd have to step in ourselves."
"I figured the heretics would at least tie their legs."
"Form the Ox Horn Thrust Formation."
The five men and women arrayed themselves. They formed a triangular spearhead with a vanguard.
Their weapons varied: two swordsmen, two spearmen, and one bare-handed fighter.
Despite lacking uniform gear, their movements flowed naturally. Clearly, they'd trained together for years.
Yuk Jin-yang eyed the formation's strengths and weaknesses. It was highly conventional. He'd seen ronin from military backgrounds use similar setups.
The aggressive name and spear-tip shape were mere feints. In truth, it was a crane-wing formation exploiting the flanks.
'I'll smash right through the center.'
With Moon Stream Subtle Steps, he glided forward effortlessly. Without any telltale footwork prelude, he closed the gap in a flash. Eyes wide, he swung at the lead spearman.
This wasn't a probing strike. He poured full power in, intent on obliterating the formation outright. He had no time to waste on these small fry.
The foe swung his spear to block. The response was solid, but his level fell short.
Crack!
The spear shaft split under Yuk Jin-yang's sword force. He drove through relentlessly, plunging the blade into the man's chest.
"Kuh!"
As if anticipating it, the man reached out. Gripping the embedded Silver Dew Sword bare-handed, he forced it deeper. Blocking any retrieval.
"Got him! Strike now!"
A desperate shout rang out. Blood sprayed from his mouth, tears of blood from his eyes, yet his grip held firm. No ordinary willpower.
Yuk Jin-yang released the Silver Dew Sword without hesitation. Auras closed in from both sides, their mocking gazes on his disarmed state.
"A swordsman abandoning his sword!"
"Bare your neck—we'll enshrine it for our clan!"
He dodged the incoming fist from the right first. Spinning in place, he unleashed the first form of Ten Thousand Rivers Single Source Art: Dance of the Herd.
The erupting shockwave warped the air, slamming into the left swordsman dead-on.
Kaboom!
Blood and flesh exploded outward.
Without confirming the kill, he instinctively twisted away. Yanking the Silver Dew Sword from the standing corpse as he did. The enemy's fist grazed just above his nose.
Yuk Jin-yang kicked off the ground, creating distance. The foes didn't pursue. They regrouped, reflecting on their mistake.
"My fault. Should've finished him when he dropped the sword."
"No self-recrimination. Plenty of time after the fight."
"A true formidable foe. The main house will reward us accordingly."
Three remained. Though their momentum broken, they pressed on—far more cautiously.
"Hoo."
Yuk Jin-yang exhaled shortly. The consecutive heavy techniques hadn't drained him yet. Thanks to the Humanoid Snow Ginseng from before. His bolstered inner energy felt tangible.
The enemies misinterpreted his breath as fatigue. Sneering, they taunted.
"Tired? Drop the sword peacefully. We'll let you rest."
"Pass."
A curt reply, then he stepped forward. As his foot hit the ground, he twisted his stance and swung the Silver Dew Sword.
Sword Wave Sweep Art.
The advanced technique, forged from insights gained witnessing divine arts, scattered brilliant sword light. The horizontal slash carved into their sides. They couldn't react properly.
Severing spines in a single sweep, he cleaved them sideways. Leaving the gruesome corpses, he pressed the assault.
"Kuh!"
Shock etched the Huangbo man's face as he barely blocked the follow-up. Yuk Jin-yang's prowess exceeded expectations. His body stiffened, still reeling from the sword's lingering force.
"How dare you!"
A black-gloved fist lunged into view. The Huangbo woman unleashed a barrage of fierce punches. The last foe swung his spear in support.
Their coordinated joint attack flowed systematically. Yuk Jin-yang saw through it instantly.
The Silver Dew Sword arced diagonally upward. Etching radiant light in the air as it surged.
They countered with their own techniques. Futile. The spear flew from its owner's grasp. Overwhelmed by the tidal force.
The slash bisected one's torso diagonally. It didn't stop. Unbroken sword path chained into the next. As light flickered off the blade, the final Huangbo woman's head soared away.
Yuk Jin-yang regulated his breath and checked around. His uncle had just finished his opponents too. Turning, Yuk Ryul stared at the carnage his nephew wrought, then clapped his shoulder.
"Well done. No need to worry about you after all."
"Yes. They weren't worth your help."
Yuk Jin-yang replied calmly, turning to the inn's stairs. Someone rushed in with clattering steps.
No martial background. Mundane aura. Likely the innkeeper.
While Shandong's folk starved under White Lotus oppression, this owner gleamed with fat. In league with the Huangbo Clan, perhaps.
"Hah, huff!"
The innkeeper collapsed at the slaughter, face ashen. Too intimidated by the blood-soaked men's menace to protest.
"Innkeeper."
"Y-yes? Yes, sir!"
"Sorry for the mess. We'll compensate plenty. Could you bring some liquor and food? We ordered earlier, but the kitchen must be swamped since nothing's come out."
Stung by the barbed words, the innkeeper scrambled to explain.
"N-no such thing! With so many customers, I worried about damaging the place... or offending you."
Yuk Ryul plunked a heavy money pouch on the table. Silver ingots clinked inside. Untying it spilled enough to rebuild the inn.
Regaining his wits, the innkeeper cautiously suggested,
"A-are you sure? It's too grim here. Move to a clean spot—we'll handle the cleanup."
"Sorry, but since it's wrecked anyway, mind if we borrow it a bit longer?"
"Of course! Use it as you wish. Ha, haha. I'll bring the trays right away."
The innkeeper bowed repeatedly, scurrying off.
The duo finished eating and left the ruined inn. Blood-drenched, they looked like asuras from hell.
"More White Lotus here than in Joo Hyun."
"They might've stockpiled supplies."
"Hope the county office isn't empty."
Unlike Joo Hyun, Seongmu County's office bustled. The magistrate feasted there, sparing them the hassle of summoning locals for info.
No clash with the guards upon arrival.
"Please show mercy!"
The rotund magistrate flung himself flat at their sight. No shred of official dignity.
Behind him, guards stood awkwardly, weapons drawn. Meeting eyes, they dropped arms and raised hands.
"Brazen or fearless? Hard to say."
Yuk Ryul glared coldly at the prone man. He kept his head glued to the floor, not daring to look up.
"At least he has some sense."
Had he asserted authority or sicced the guards, his head would've rolled. Yuk Ryul wanted to avoid needless killing but had no patience for bureaucratic deference.
"Of course! How could I dare oppose great figures from the alliance?"
"How'd you know we're from the alliance?"
Sweat beaded on the magistrate's plump cheeks at the sharp query.
"I... overheard them say it."
"Lame excuse. Want to die?"
"Mercy, please!"
He begged but clammed up on details. Sighing, Yuk Ryul approached and murmured,
"Cooperate fully, and I won't kill you now."
"...Ask away. I'll tell all."
"When did they requisition supplies here? Describe what you saw in detail."
After a pause, the magistrate spoke.
"Two days ago. Five came first, barking about imperial orders. Even after cooperating, they left two to watch us."
"Quantity?"
"Thirty warhorses, two hundred seok of grain, and a hundred weapons."
They'd stripped the office bare. Surely not just here.
"Mention us?"
"Yes. Said the alliance is at odds with the court lately... accused you of siding with rebels."
"White Lotus?"
"Wh-White Lotus? What?"
The magistrate's eyes bulged. Shock seemed genuine, but Yuk Ryul frowned at the oddity, grabbing his collar.
"Guh, ack! Why? I told the truth!"
"Sloppy lie. Truly clueless? Nod or shake."
The magistrate shook his head.
"Huangbo brought White Lotus? Or did they act alone?"
Then it happened.
Yuk Jin-yang spotted a glint from the magistrate's sleeve. No thought—pure instinct. He leaped, aiming a kick at the man's skull.
Bam!
Hit true—or so he thought. The magistrate crossed arms to block.
A shattered bamboo tube tumbled from his sleeve. Filled with poisoned needles. Masterfully crafted hidden weapon.